Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture for Treating Postoperative Gastroparesis After Partial Gastrectomy in Adults Aged 18 to 80
Led by Qilu Hospital of Shandong University · Updated on 2026-07-15
176
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
17 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Q
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Lead Sponsor
W
Weifang Yidu Central Hospital
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating acupuncture as a treatment for delayed gastric emptying that occurs after partial gastrectomy surgery. This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial aims to provide strong evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in improving gastric motility and reducing symptoms like abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting in patients with postoperative gastroparesis. The study is conducted collaboratively by Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and partner institutions. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups an Acupuncture Group receiving traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture plus standard postoperative care, and a Sham Acupuncture Group receiving non-penetrating sham acupuncture plus the same standard care. Both groups receive treatments of equal duration and frequency. The study collects clinical data, laboratory samples, and symptom assessments during treatment, with follow-up over 12 months. Throughout the trial, participants undergo assessments including gastric emptying scintigraphy, abdominal radiographs, symptom scoring with the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index, nutritional status evaluations, quality of life questionnaires, and monitoring of adverse events. Safety and treatment credibility are also evaluated. Follow-up visits occur at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment to monitor recovery and long-term outcomes. The primary outcome is the time to recovery from gastroparesis up to 12 months after diagnosis.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Acupuncture for Postoperative Gastric Emptying Delay
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 18-80 years, regardless of sex.
- Patients who have undergone partial gastrectomy.
- Patients presenting with postoperative gastroparesis symptoms, confirmed by imaging or gastric emptying scintigraphy, and clinically diagnosed with gastroparesis.
- No severe cardiac, hepatic, renal, or coagulation dysfunction.
- No participation in other interventional clinical trials within the past month.
- Able to provide written informed consent and comply with the treatment and follow-up procedures.
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients with severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, hepatic or renal failure, or coagulation disorders.
- Patients who develop serious postoperative complications after partial gastrectomy, such as anastomotic leakage, gastrointestinal bleeding, or severe infections, or conditions that may affect the assessment of gastric motility, such as ascites or intestinal obstruction.
- Patients with a known allergy to acupuncture or with skin damage, infection, or severe scarring at the needle insertion sites that would prevent proper acupoint selection or needling.
- Patients with diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, or those unable to cooperate with treatment procedures, symptom assessment, or follow-up.
- Patients who have used medications that may significantly affect gastric motility within the past week and cannot discontinue their use.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals with other special physiological conditions that may make them unsuitable for participation in acupuncture research.
Research Team
Z
zhibo Yan, PhD
W
wenbin Yu, PhD
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